The Accurate Reloading Forums
dilema, or why to not shoot a donor rifle
28 April 2012, 05:29
ArthurOldsdilema, or why to not shoot a donor rifle
OK, trouble in the works. Bought a good pre64 300 H&H with the object of turning it into a 375. Bought the Echols edge and have Blackburn #2 bottom metal. Then the mistake. I took it to the range and have a 1/2" group to deal with. I have a new LIGHT 7X57 on a G33/40 and a perfectly good FN (Sears) 30.06. What to do? Sell the 300, stock and bottom metal, re-barrel-??? Should have known better! Any ideas or suggestions are really needed as I can't make up my mind...Arthur
28 April 2012, 05:38
kda55Sell me the 7x57. Then you will feel much better and won't have to take those anxiety pills anymore.
28 April 2012, 06:31
KabluewyYou're beyond help.

Just kidding. I basically had the same problem. I had a Mod 70 post '64 with two barrels fitted to the same receiver, same contour, same barrel maker, one in 375 and the other in 300 H&H. Many years passed, and I tried the 300 once to confirm its accuracy. Then switched back to the 375. Finally, after a long time on the shelf, I sold the 300 barrel. I still feel the twinge of pain in parting with it, but as each year passes, it is less and less.
It just came down to a choice had to be made, and I chose the 375. However, somewhere in the meantime of all that, I acquired an accurate 300 Win Mag. So, like you, I didn't need the 300 H&H. I would still make the same choice again.
KB
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28 April 2012, 07:28
D HumbargerKeep all of it. you'll find use for everything in time.
Doug Humbarger
NRA Life member
Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club 72'73.
Yankee Station
Try to look unimportant. Your enemy might be low on ammo.
28 April 2012, 07:58
Crazyhorseconsultingquote:
Keep all of it. you'll find use for everything in time.
Words of Wisdom. Plus 1

Even the rocks don't last forever.
28 April 2012, 15:05
GrenadierKeep your 300H&H and get another M70 to use for your donor rifle.
Remember, two rifles are always better than one.
.
28 April 2012, 15:12
Rustyquote:
Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
quote:
Keep all of it. you'll find use for everything in time.
Words of Wisdom. Plus 1
+2
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
28 April 2012, 18:19
Art S.My personal opinion is keep the 300. I don't know the numbers, but in poking around gunstores, I see these a lot less. It is a lot easier to find a 375, in my experience. Additionally, the 300 is a more all around North American caliber.
28 April 2012, 19:11
lee440Pre-64's in 300 H&H are pretty scarce, seems like most of them got turned into 375's in the 70-90's.
DRSS(We Band of Bubba's Div.)
N.R.A (Life)
T.S.R.A (Life)
D.S.C.
28 April 2012, 21:21
Blacktailerquote:
Originally posted by lee440:
Pre-64's in 300 H&H are pretty scarce, seems like most of them got turned into 375's in the 70-90's.
Or reamed out to Weatherbys.
Have gun- Will travel
The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark
28 April 2012, 22:25
Christian SnyderPlease, whatever you do, don't destroy a pre-64 M70 in .300 H&H, especially not one that shoots! They are rare as hen's teeth so as it is, I'd hate to hear that someone converted one to .375.
28 April 2012, 22:34
pacecarsI would keep the 70 as is if it is in decent shape and in the future NEVER EVER shoot the donor unless you want to have an MOA shooter guaranteed!
28 April 2012, 23:20
wasbeemanNot being an real project sort of person, I've always gone at it differently. I buy a rifle for itself. And if things don't work out to suit me, then I start thinking of conversions and such.
Aim for the exit hole
29 April 2012, 03:50
RaySenderoDon't mess with an accurate rifle!!!!!
Keep the 300HH as is and buy you a new 375.
Then give us a report on the pre vs new.
________
Ray
29 April 2012, 15:04
416TanzanI agree with Ray.
And a person should always shoot a 'donor' rifle to make sure that it is a donor.
Last year I bought a used 375 Ruger Hawkete Alaskan with a view to building a 500 AccR.
I loaded up some new 375 TTSX's but only got 1.5" to 1.7" groups. That was truly 'win-win'. If it was sub-MOA I would have kept it as a 375 Ruger.
So I happily sent it off and it has become a 500AccR, which will be tested and fired in the summer.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+
"A well-rounded hunting battery might include:
500 AccRel Nyati, 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger, 375Ruger or 338WM, 308 or 270, 243, 223" --
Conserving creation, hunting the harvest.
BTDT Shot a Sears FN 270 that I bought to use for a 6.5-06. 0.64 for 4 shots with Remington 150 gr. from Wally World. Had to find another donor, Midland (Spanish action) in 270 and no I won't shoot it.
Keep the 300, suck it up and get another donor. LOL
Thaine
"Begging hands and bleeding hearts will always cry out for more..." Ayn Rand
"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance" Jeanne C. Stein
Keep it and find another donor!!!

12 May 2012, 16:13
buckeyeshooterquote:
Originally posted by Grenadier:
Keep your 300H&H and get another M70 to use for your donor rifle.
Remember, two rifles are always better than one.
great advice!
13 May 2012, 00:58
Use Enough GunI too, agree with Ray!

16 May 2012, 23:10
Dr. LouFind another action - to my mind having a rifles in 300 H&H and 375 H&H would cover all your hunting needs.
****************
NRA Life Benefactor Member
21 May 2012, 03:45
loud-n-boomerJust had the same thing happen. My dad is here visiting and wants to go pig hunting. The gun that fits him the best is a Ruger No. 1A .30-06 I just picked up to use for the action, so we took it out and sighted it in. With 180-grain Barnes TSX bullets it shoots 1/2 to 3/4-inch three shot groups. Not only is it the most accurate Ruger rifle I have owned, it is the first one that would shoot the Barnes-X bullets worth a hoot. Now I have to find another Ruger No. 1 for a donor action.
One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know. - Groucho Marx